Poli Vermouth Rosso Gran Bassano

Poli Vermouth Rosso Gran Bassano is a Veneto-built aperitif from the Poli Distillery in Bassano del Grappa, a family operation synonymous with exceptional grappa for over a century. The base is estate Merlot, a grape that has been cultivated in the region since the late 19th century, chosen for its generous red fruit character and then naturally infused with 33 botanicals including holy thistle and yarrow moscata, plants native to the Bassano area, alongside rhubarb, vanilla, pimento, ginger, and liquorice. This is vermouth built like a fine wine, because it essentially is one, and it shows in the glass with a deep ruby color and a complexity that rewards attention. The Poli family has been distilling in Bassano del Grappa since 1898, and their mastery of botanicals carries directly into this rosso vermouth. The Merlot base is sourced from vineyards in the Veneto, where the grape has thrived for more than a century, providing the red fruit backbone that supports the botanical infusion. Holy thistle and yarrow moscata, both indigenous to the Bassano hillsides, anchor the blend, while rhubarb, vanilla, pimento, ginger, and liquorice add layers of spice and depth. The production mirrors the care Poli brings to their grappas—natural infusion, no shortcuts, full extraction of each botanical's character. On the nose, zesty and savory aromas emerge where red fruit mingles with sun-dried tomato and dried oregano, a profile that reads more like a thoughtful wine than a sweet aperitif. The palate opens with bold dried cherry, raspberry, and orange peel, then shifts to a relatively dry finish with subtle savory herbs emerging on the final exhale. It is equally at home sipped chilled over ice as an aperitivo before dinner or stirred into a Negroni or Manhattan, where its dryness and herbal complexity add structure without cloying sweetness. Pair it with charcuterie, aged cheeses, or roasted vegetables—anything that can stand up to its savory, fruit-forward character. Available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.